NEARLY half of Worcestershire men admit they would delay going to the doctor if they developed warning signs of cancer, a shocking survey has revealed.

Only 57 per cent of men questioned for the poll in the county said they would immediately seek medical help if they found traces of blood in their stool - one of the most common symptoms of bowel cancer.

Many younger men surveyed cited embarrassment as a reason to delay getting their symptoms checked.

Those aged 45 or more were concerned about what the doctor might find as the result of an examination.

The authors of the survey, specially commissioned to launch Cancer Research UK's Man Alive Campaign, said the results were "concerning".

The campaign aims to promote greater awareness of the symptoms of cancers that affect men, including bowel, prostate and testicular cancer.

The results were echoed by Dr David Brownridge, of Ombersley Health Centre, in Hastings House, Kidderminster Road, Worcester.

"Men traditionally bring their symptoms to a doctor slower than women," he said.

"I think women tend to become more immune or are more used to intimate bodily examinations through having contraceptive devices fitted or smear tests.

"Men get through their life into their middle age without having been touched by a doctor and become reluctant to be examined, especially in genital areas that they perceive to be embarrassing."

He said a greater number of female doctors could also be putting men off.

Whereas the move towards more women working in the profession has seen female patients more at ease with having "invasive" tests and check-ups, it could be having the opposite affect on men, said Dr Brownridge.

"The boot's on the other foot," said the Worcestershire spokesman for the British Medical Association.

"I think men need to look at dispelling this as their life may depend on seeing a doctor - female or male."